Flintlock muzzleloader cover

ABSTRACT

A flintlock muzzleloader cover is formed from a generally rectangular piece of material preferably water resistant leather. The material has a first half and a second half and folds on a central fold. The material has a first pleat portion on one side of the central fold and a second pleat portion on an opposite side of the fold. A first tie portion extends from the first half and a second tie portion extends from the second half to allow the cover to be tied onto a flintlock muzzleloader. A securing device preferably in the form of antiqued brass rivets are used for securing the pleat portions to the first half and second half in a folded condition. The pleats are angled to form a pocket to receive the firing mechanism and to direct water through channels created by the folds downwardly away from the central fold and the firing mechanism. The central fold rests on top of a firing mechanism when the cover is in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flintlock muzzleloader cover. More specifically, it relates to a flintlock muzzleloader cover including pleat portions.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Flintlock muzzleloader rifles have been in existence for many years. In recent years a growing number of enthusiasts have begun to regularly engage in flintlock muzzleloader hunting and shooting activities. As any such enthusiast is well aware, the use of such rifles is exceedingly difficult in wet weather caused by rain, snow or fog. It is critically important to keep the firing mechanism of the flintlock muzzleloader and the gun power which causes the rifle to fire completely dry.

A number of devices have been proposed to protect muzzle-loading rifles. For example, Gamble et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,367 discloses a protector for muzzle-loading rifle which protects the flint, flash pan, and hammer and the powder contained in the flash pan of a muzzle-loading rifle. Gamble teaches the provision of a cover 12 and band 17. Fasteners 26 and 27 are utilized to secure the device on the rifle. While this device provides some protection it is difficult to quickly, quietly and efficiently remove the cover when firing the rifle.

Essary, U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,004 also provides a protective cover for the firing mechanism of a muzzle-loading rifle. The device includes a tubular sleeve having opposite first and second ends. The rifle is inserted through one of the ends such that the firing mechanism of the rifle is covered by the sleeve. Each of the first and second ends have an elastic band extending around them. As shown in FIG. 3, the device may be rolled backwardly to expose the firing mechanism. However, this process is not a quick and efficient one which would allow for a quick shot.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantage of the prior inventions by providing a cover which has a simple tying mechanism which allows the entire cover to be quickly removed to a position where it simply dangles from the safety guard of the trigger. This allows the device to be completely out of the way and not to obstruct the firing mechanism in any manner or form during a shooting operation. Further the present invention provides a unique construction which allows the device to be quickly centered on the firing mechanism and to direct water downwardly away from the firing mechanism when the cover is in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its simplest form the present invention provides a flintlock muzzleloader cover comprising: a generally rectangular piece of material having a first half and a second half and being foldable on a central fold, said piece of material having a first pleat portion on one side of said central fold and a second pleat portion on an opposite side of said fold; a first tie portion extending from said first half and a second tie portion extending from said second half; and securing means for securing said first pleat portion to said first half and to said second half in a folded condition and also for securing said second pleat portion to said first half and to said half in a folded condition.

Preferably, said piece of material is water resistant and flexible and is preferably leather. Alternatively, a water resistant canvass or other material can be used.

Preferably, said securing means further comprises plural antiqued brass rivets.

Preferably, said central fold and said first pleat portion and said second pleat portion form a generally arch shaped fold which forms a pocket into which a firing mechanism of a flintlock muzzleloader is received.

Preferably, said first tie portions and said second tie portions are tied together and tied to a front portion of a trigger guard of a flintlock muzzleloader.

Preferably, said first pleat and said second pleat are formed at an angle A relative to a side edge of said piece of material with angle A being between 230 degrees and 260 degrees and approximately 240 degrees. Preferably, said first pleat and said second pleat are formed at an angle B relative to said central fold which is between 190 degrees and 230 degrees and preferably approximately 210 degrees.

Preferably, said first pleat portion and said second pleat portion have upper edge portions which slope downwardly relative to said central fold to direct water downwardly away from said central fold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the flintlock muzzleloader cover of the present invention in an unfolded form.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flintlock muzzleloader cover of FIG. 1 in a partially folded condition.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the flintlock muzzleloader cover of FIG. 1 in a fully folded and assembled condition.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view the flintlock muzzleloader cover of the present invention as attached to a muzzle-loading rifle in use.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a rivet securing the folds of a pleat portion of the flintlock muzzleloader cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, the present invention includes a flintlock muzzleloader cover 10 which is formed of a generally rectangular fabric piece 20 which has a first side 22 and a second side 26 which are folded along a central fold 38. The rectangular portion has dimensions of approximately 6½ inches by 4½ inches and is preferably fabricated from a water resistant leather material. Alternatively, a water resistant canvas material or any other flexible material can be utilized. The rectangular piece 20 has a first side end edge 25, a second side end edge 23, a first side edge 21 and a second side edge 23. A first tie portion 24, which is preferably integrally formed with rectangular piece 20, extends outwardly from first side 22. Similarly, a second tie piece 28 extends outwardly from second side 26. A first pleat portion 30 is provided on one side of the central fold 38 and second pleat portion 30 is provided on an opposite side of central fold 38. The central fold extends from point 37 to point 39 as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, first pleat portion 30, central fold 38 and second pleat portion 30 each extend approximately one-third of the distance between the first side edge 21 and the second side edge 23.

As best shown in FIG. 2, pleat 30 is formed by making a fold along fold line 32 so that outer folded pleat edge portions 34 will meet together and form a sloped top edge of the pleat when the cover 10 is in use. A plurality of antiqued brass rivets 40 are utilized to secure the pleated portions in the fully folded condition as is best shown in FIG. 5. The rivets 40 include a top flange portion 42 and bottom flange portion 44 which hold the folded leather material in a tightly folded condition. When folded and riveted in position, the pleats 30 form a channel which directs moisture away from the firing mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 4 the flintlock muzzleloader cover 10 is shown as attached to a flintlock muzzleloader rifle 50. Flintlock muzzleloader rifle 50 includes the trigger guard 52 and a pair of triggers 54. A first tie member 29 is independently tied securely around the trigger guard 52. Then a slip knot 29 is formed with the free ends of the first tie 24 and second tie 28 by tying the two free ends ties together. Removing the slip knot will allow the entire cover to dangle downwardly below the trigger guard 52 held by the first tie portion 24 (which remained tied to the trigger guard 52). As can be best seen in FIG. 4, the pleats 30 have a top edge 34 which together with central fold 38 form a generally arched shaped pocket into which the firing mechanism (located under cover) is received. Because of this unique configuration, the cover tends to be self-centering over the firing mechanism by merely placing the cover over the firing mechanism and pulling downwardly on first tie 24 and second tie 28.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the pleat portion 30 is formed such that top edge portion 34 forms an angle A (FIGS. 1 and 3) relative to side edge 21. Angle A is preferably approximately 240 degrees. Similarly the top edge 34 of the pleat portion 30 forms an angle B (FIG. 3) relative to top edge 38. Angle B is preferably approximately 210 degrees. This arrangement allows for the edges 34 to slope downwardly away from the top of the firing mechanism when in use. This directs downwardly falling or collecting moisture away from the top edge 38 which then simply drips off side portions 21 and 23 and off the lower most edges 25 and 27.

Because the device 10 is simply tied onto the trigger guard, the device may be simply removed and reattached in a quick, efficient and perhaps most importantly a silent manner. This is a great advantage over prior art devices which use fastening mechanisms that could cause noise which could scare away game or require complex or timely removal techniques.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, the present invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown. 

1. A flintlock muzzleloader cover comprising: a generally rectangular piece of material having a first half and a second half and being foldable on a central fold, said piece of material having a first pleat portion on one side of said central fold and a second pleat portion on an opposite side of said fold; a first tie portion extending from said first half and a second tie portion extending from said second half; and securing means for securing said first pleat portion to said first half and to said second half in a folded condition and also for securing said second pleat portion to said first half and to said half in a folded condition.
 2. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said piece of material is leather.
 3. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 2 wherein said leather is water resistant.
 4. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said piece of material is canvass.
 5. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 4 wherein said leather is canvass is water resistant.
 6. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said piece of material is flexible and water resistant.
 7. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said securing means further comprises plural rivets.
 8. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said rivets are antiqued brass rivets.
 9. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said central fold and said first pleat portion and said second pleat portion form a generally arch shaped fold which forms a pocket into which a firing mechanism of a flintlock muzzleloader is received.
 10. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said first tie portions and said second tie portions are tied together and tied to a front portion of a trigger guard of a flintlock muzzleloader.
 12. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said first pleat and said second pleat are formed at an angle A relative to a side edge of said piece of material.
 13. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said angle A is between 230 degrees and 260 degrees.
 14. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said angle A is approximately 240 degrees.
 15. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said first pleat and said second pleat are formed at an angle B relative to said central fold.
 16. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said angle B is between 90 degrees and 230 degrees.
 17. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said angle B is approximately 210 degrees.
 18. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said first pleat portion and said second pleat portion have upper edge portions which slope downwardly relative to said central fold to direct moisture downwardly away from said central fold.
 18. A flintlock muzzleloader cover according to claim 1 wherein said first pleat portion and said second pleat portion create channels which direct moisture downwardly away from a firing mechanism of the flintlock muzzleloader. 